(\u00a0The Center Square) \u2013 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed a new ombudsman to enforce a state prohibition on \u201cdiversity, equity and inclusion\u201d (DEI) policies at higher education institutions in Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Texas legislature created a new office to enforce state prohibitions on higher education institutions using DEI curriculum and policies after complaints continue to be made about faculty and institutions still using them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
SB 37, filed by former state Sen. Brandon Creighton, created the Office of Ombudsman at the Higher\u00a0Education\u00a0Coordinating\u00a0Board (THECB) to serve as an intermediary\u00a0among higher\u00a0education institutions, the legislature and members of the public to receive and investigate DEI complaints.<\/p>\n
SB 37 passed the legislature this year, was signed into law, and became effective Sept. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cI signed a law creating a new office to investigate complaints that universities and colleges aren\u2019t following laws we passed or the ban on DEI,\u201d Gov. Abbott said<\/a>. \u201cThe compliance officer has now taken office. He will aggressively require universities comply with the law.\u201d<\/p>\n Abbott appointed Brandon Simmons as the first director of the new ombudsman\u2019s office to lead the THECB. Abbott previously appointed Simmons to serve on the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, where he was its chair for two years. Simmons is a distinguished professor of Business at Wiley University in Marshall. He was also a technology company executive, venture capitalist and corporate attorney and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in California.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Texas continues to lead the nation with more top-ranked research universities and programs than any other state,\u201d Abbot said<\/a>. \u201cIn order to maintain this lead, we must place the success of Texas students first. Brandon Simmons’\u00a0achievements and dedication to educate our future leaders as an entrepreneur, professor, and university chairman\u00a0will help ensure Texas\u2019 higher education institutions continue to set the national standard and prepare our students to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Simmons\u2019 appointment is subject to Texas Senate confirmation. The office will have five employees and a yearly budget of $786,790, according<\/a>\u00a0to the Legislative Budget Board.\u00a0<\/p>\n